Commission: Spend $1 million in marketing for census

By Cy Ryan

Monday, April 6, 2009 | 12:02 p.m.

CARSON CITY – The state should spend nearly $1 million to make sure all of its residents are counted in next year’s national census because it means more money in the long run for Nevada, a commission has recommended.

The Nevada Spending and Government Efficiency Commission also is suggesting that those who fail their driver’s license test with an examiner be charged a fee when they return to take a second or a third test.

The commission, known for its recommendations of cutting back on government, submitted its third report to Gov. Jim Gibbons and says the state should spend $961,055 in a marketing and outreach program to get every resident counted.

It estimates that Nevada will lose $917 per year in federal funds for every resident missed in the national count. The savings in one year could be $15.9 million, and $79.6 million in five years, the commission said.

The state allocated $788,400 to publicize the 2000 census and the undercount was estimated at 1.68 percent, which was better than the 2.3 percent short tally in 1990.

The commission suggested it be a grassroots neighborhood campaign.

As for driver's licenses, a driving test is required for all young drivers and some adults. The state Department of Motor Vehicles charges $21.25 for instruction permits for drivers under 65 and $16.25 for older drivers.

There is no separate charge for a drive test with a state technician. The commission is recommending the Motor Vehicle Department charge those who have to return for a second and third test to offset the cost of the technician.

It is estimated that as many as 70 percent fail the first test and must return for subsequent testing.

It could produce $4.25 million over a five-year period, according to the commission.

The Motor Vehicle Department prints 200,000 copies each year of its driver education booklet and supplies 92,000 to schools. The commission said schools should be charged $2 a copy since they charge the students who are taking driver education. The state pays $1 a copy.

The Motor Vehicle Department should also reinstate the requirement that proof of insurance be presented for new vehicle registration, the commission said. It estimates 17-19 percent of motorists don’t have the required insurance. It said that would increase revenue from the insurance tax.

This is the third report submitted to the governor, who has submitted some of the prior recommendations to the Legislature. But controversy has surrounded them, particularly one about cutting off future subsidies for health insurance coverage for state workers who retire in the future.

Lawmakers said they will not go forward with that recommendation, even though it would save millions of dollars.

The commission says it is now undertaking a study of the state’s computer technology system and of health and human services.